Ive recently become freelance (ie: layed off from previous job) and this is the first time in my albeit young life(20 years young) that Ive been unemployed.

Ive been attempting to put together a more comprehensive portfolio, in order to secure more work, but as I look around the web, and around in general, the quality and imagination of other artists has put me into a downward spin of depression.

Looking at the wonderous works of other, usually older more experienced, artists has got me stuck with serious feelings of inadequacy.

This seems a strange topic for a first post Im sure, but in my day to day life I never get the opportunity to communicate with other artists. I came upon this web-site after browsing multitudes of web-galleries, and felt this would be an ideal place to ask the question:

to the older, better!, more experienced(and worst of all), MORE talented artists:

HOW did you guys get through this?

I feel as if, with the competition, Ill never find work. Not because Im not a hard worker, or a bad person, personally, but because my art feels so sub-par.

When I dream at night, I dream of going to art school(like I could EVER afford it...)
and communicating, and learning, unencombered...etc...

Um, well, I'm not a pro, so career advice is out, but I've been fortunate enough to be able to channel any envy towards getting better. Often when I see some excellent work way beyond my abilities, I get this feeling of 'me too, damnit', and I get the urge to draw, paint, whatever. (I conciously avoid copying the picture that gave me the nudge to get better, of course.) That's when I can really feel myself getting better. With the right motivation, you can pick up new techniques and even new media in no time, at least gain the basic skills whihc serve as a solid foundation for later improvement.

You know what? That's really weird because I've been having the same exact problem lately. I am also now unemployed because we just moved here. And I feel so inadequit. I've never had a job that used any talent I may have anyway. I've always worked in resteraunts or telemarketing or something. I wouldn't know how to begin in the field of design. Right now I'm just crossing my fingers I get the job at the book store.

But believe me, I know exactly how you feel. I guess it's just part of life, there's always going to be somebody better. Bigger stronger... whatever.. It can make you feel down or small, or you can turn it around and let it inspire you to strive for better things. It's so frustrating, isn't it?

If you really want to get a job like the one you described, put all your energy into it. You'll be rewarded if you do your best.
If you can afford to spend some time making a portfolio, do the stuff you like best and make some beautiful images you can be proud of.
There's always someone out there who's better than yourself - but that shouldn't bring you down. All of us start somewhere. Use it as motivation.
What the hell makes other people better than yourself anyway? Who says you can't excell? Go find out how far you can go.
I know it's hard but just jump in there - get a kickass portfolio going and send it all over the planet!

I can only agree with Loki. If you really want to really really much you will get there.

I'm just so happy I got accepted to this education I'm on now. 100% of the ppl who graduate this get jobs if they want to, and it's free too! I am convinced I only got in here because of my motivation and love for what I do.. I'm 19 and allready got a coupple of emails from interested gamecompanies